Taking the Dread out of Dentistry with Oral Sedation

Does the thought of going to a dentist invoke dread? One out of five people report they fear or don’t like going to a dentist. Unfortunately, minor problems will snowball into significant ones if you avoid dental appointments, putting your dental health in a downward spiral.

Many dentists recognize some patients have dental fear but don’t have the expertise or technology to overcome the problem. Jeffrey C. Robertson, DDS in Irvine, California, is different. Dr. Robertson and his team offer anxiety-free dentistry to overcome dental fear. 

Reasons you have dental fear

Identifying the root cause of your dental anxiety can help you work on your fears to optimize your dental care. While no two patients are alike, many share common concerns when it comes to seeing a dentist.

Following are some of the causes of dental fear:

• Past negative dental experiences
• Fear of needles
• Associating dental treatments with pain
• Fear of loss of control
• A feeling of invasion of your personal space
• Passed down fears from friends and relatives
• Strong gag reflex
• Fear of the unknown

Did you see yourself in any of these? The cause could be one or a combination or something completely different. Delaying or avoiding dental appointments compounds your oral problems, often leading to pain and costly dental treatments. 

Combating dental fear with oral sedation

Oral sedation is one of the three ways dentists combat dental anxiety. Unlike IV sedation or laughing gas, oral sedation involves taking a prescribed pill (like Valium or Xanax) hours leading to the appointment. While the dentist works on you, you are sedated head to toe. The result is a deep relaxation, but you remain awake to communicate with our dental team. Some patients get too comfortable that they sleep, but a slight nudge is enough to awaken them. 

Pill sedation is best suited for patients with mild to moderate levels of dental fear. It’s also suitable for patients undergoing complex, lengthy procedures because sedated patients rarely notice the passage of time, despite the treatment going on for hours. What’s more, many patients have little recollection of the procedure despite spending hours on the dental chair.

Benefits of oral conscious sedation

Do you have dental fear? Has your dentist recommended oral sedation? You’ve nothing to fear. This sedation type offers many benefits, including:

• Easy to administer
• Ideal for patients with a fear of needles
• Safe when administered by a qualified dentist
• You remain responsive throughout your treatment

Since oral sedation effects may distort your judgment, you must have someone accompany you in and out of our office. You should also not drive or operate any machinery for 24 hours after the sedation.

Take the stress out of your smile with sedation dentistry

Whatever the reason for avoiding a dentist, we are here to help you through them. We care about your dental health, so we’ll ensure we help you overcome all the barriers on your way to a healthy smile. 

If you think sedation dentistry is right for you, please call (714) 908-7472 to talk to the team at  Dr. Robertson’s office. Don’t delay treatment anymore. Try anxiety-free dentistry and see how pleasant your next dental visit can be.

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